Flu Frenzy is Here–What Should You Do?

Now that we know how it works, does the flu vaccine actually protect us against the flu?  There is disputing data.  While the CDC admits last year’s protection for Seniors over 65 was abysmally low with a protection rate of just 9% which translates to a flu hospitalization rate of 0.116 percent – and no, I didn’t misplace the decimal point.  The CDC also claims a 59% protection rate of everyone else.  It sounds pretty good.

In previous years, my biggest concerns with the flu vaccines were the toxic preservatives (neurotoxins which suppress the immune system!) used in the vaccines such as thimerosol (mercury) and formaldehyde. Please see ingredients of flu vaccine listed by CDC.  In addition, I was concerned with the actual effectiveness.  Lancet’s study in July 2012  shows that only 1.5 out of 100 adults were protected from the flu as opposed to the 60%  that we hear about, as mentioned above.

However, the hype back then still made me nervous enough to pursue the vaccine.  In order to find the “safest” flu vaccine, I spoke with the makers of the vaccine that year at Sanofi Pasteur and discovered the type of vaccine with the least amount of preservative was a single dose vaccine as opposed to the multiple dose vials regularly administered.  Even more difficult was finding a doctor’s office who had the single dose available.  I finally located an office in a very depressed area where the office had gates on the windows and locks on the door.  We even had to be buzzed in to get inside and were surprised when they told us they had a huge excess of the single dose vaccines.

At any rate, after all of the hoopla, we finally felt a little more secure knowing that my daughter was at least protected from the dreaded swine flu.  WRONG.  Rachel ended up getting a full blown case of the swine flu and was out of commission for 2 weeks.

That’s just our story, but I keep hearing over and over again cases where people are still getting the flu despite getting their flu vaccine.  While everyone needs to make a decision that’s best for their own families, the most important defense is a good offense––whether you get the flu shot or not.

There is no question that you are more likely to be able to fend off viruses if your immune system is good and strong. Therefore, I recommend that my clients (and my family) take lots of vitamin D3 (about 8,000 i.u.s/day) along with lots of vitamin C (4g or more a day).  It’s not just about supplements, though, it’s about nourishing our bodies every day with lots of lean, quality protein along with fruits and vegetables.  Stay away from processed food and sugar as it just suppresses your immune system and can lessen the benefits of the supplements.  Exercising regularly will also help build up your immune system.

If you do find yourself succumbing to the flu, stick to non-processed foods(chicken soup really is a great remedy!), clean protein and veggies, lots of Vit D3 and Vit C.  Add Elderberry as it has been shown in many cases to dramatically reduce the length of the flu.

In the end, education is your best weapon to protect you and your family.